Screed frame and plate

ABSTRACT

A screed includes a frame and a plate. The frame includes a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members. The plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface. At least one of the plurality of the mounting members is longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members. Further, the plate is coupled to the frame by the plurality of the mounting members.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a screed, and more particularly to ascreed frame and a plate.

BACKGROUND

A paving machine includes a screed for laying paving material on a roadsurface. The screed includes at least one screed plate that may leveland compact the paving material. Weight of the screed facilitatesinitial compaction of the paving material. The screed plate may beheated to further facilitate the paving operation. Heating the screedplate may assist in improved flow of the paving material and reduceadhesion of the paving material to the screed plate. Inadequate oruneven heating of the screed plate may result in premature hardening ofthe paving material, resulting in buildup of the paving material andundesired drag.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,928 discloses a paving machine that employs anelectrically heated screed assembly to uniformly heat a screed plate ofthe machine. Uniform heating is achieved by inserting a thermallyconductive plate between electrical heating elements and the screedplate. An insulation layer may be provided above the heating elements todirect the heat downward into the thermally conductive plate. The heatspreads relatively uniformly throughout the thermally conductive plate,thereby uniformly heating the screed plate. A clamping mechanism is alsoprovided that, when tightened, provides a compressive force, therebyholding the assembly in place. When released, the pressure isalleviated, thus permitting a heating element to be removed for repairor replacement without the need to remove the screed plate.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a screed including aframe and a plate. The frame includes a bottom surface and a pluralityof mounting members. The plurality of the mounting members project fromthe bottom surface. At least one of the plurality of the mountingmembers is longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the othermounting member. Further, the plate is coupled to the frame by themounting members.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a paving machineincluding a tractor and a screed coupled to the tractor. The screedincludes a frame and a plate. The frame includes a bottom surface and aplurality of mounting members. The plurality of the mounting membersproject from the bottom surface. At least one of the plurality of themounting members is longitudinally and transversely offset relative tothe other mounting member. Further, the plate is coupled to the frame bythe mounting members.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a screedincluding a frame and a plate. The frame includes a bottom surface and aplurality of mounting members projecting from the bottom surface. Theplate is coupled to the frame by the coupling members. The plateincludes a heating element. Further, the plurality of the mountingmembers are arranged to provide a substantially uniform heatdistribution across the plate.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a paving machine having a screed;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of frames of the screed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the first extenderscreed;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partly assembled right perspective view of thefirst extender screed;

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled left side view of the first extenderscreed of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a first extender plate supportportion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a screed of a paving machine. FIG. 1illustrates a side view of a paving machine 100, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The paving machine 100 includes atractor 102 and a screed 104 disposed to the rear of the tractor 102.The screed 104 is flexibly coupled to the tractor 102 by tow arms 106(only one illustrated in FIG. 1) and follows the tractor 102. However,the screed 104 may be mounted in front of the tractor 102. Further,tractor 102 includes a propulsion arrangement 108. The propulsionarrangement 108, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may include wheels.Alternatively, the propulsion arrangement may include tracks. Further,the paving machine 100 is driven by a prime mover 110, for example, aninternal combustion engine. In an embodiment, of the present disclosure,the prime mover 110 may also drive an electric generator 112. Theelectric generator 112 may be an AC or a DC generator. The tractor 102further includes a hopper 114 that receives paving material from a dumptruck.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the screed 104 includes amain screed 116, a first extender screed 118A and a second extenderscreed (shown in FIG. 2). In an embodiment of the present disclosure,the main screed 116 includes a first main frame and a second main frame.Further, the first extender screed 118A and the second extender screedincludes a first extender frame and a second extender frame,respectively. Various details of the first and the second main frames,and the first and the second extender frames will be describedhenceforth with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the first and the second mainframes 202A, 202B, and the first and the second extender frames 204A,204B. The first and the second main frames 202A, 202B are part of themain screed 116. Further, the first and the second extender frames 204A,204B are part of the first and the second extender screeds 118A, 118B,respectively. The first extender frame 204A includes a first upper part206A and a first lower part 208A. Further, the second extender frame204B includes a second upper part 206B and a second lower part 208B.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and the second main frames 202A,202B include first and second main plate support portions 210A, 210B,respectively. A first main screed plate 212A and a second main screedplate 212B are coupled to the support portion 210A and the supportportion 210B, respectively, by fasteners 214. Further, the first and thesecond lower parts 208A, 208B include first and second extender platesupport portions 216A, 216B, respectively. A first extender screed plate218A and a second extender screed plate 218B are coupled to the supportportions 216A, 216B, respectively, by fasteners 214.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and the secondmain frames 202A, 202B may be pivotable about a main pivot axis “P”. Themain pivot axis “P” may be located at a center line “L” between thefirst and the second main frames 202A, 202B. Therefore, the plates 212Aand 212B may also be pivotable about the pivot axis “P”. In anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, the first and the second extenderframes 204A, 204B may be extendable and retractable relative to thefirst and the second main frames 202A, 202B, respectively, along asliding direction “S”. Therefore, the plates 218A and 218B may also beretractable and extendable relative to the plates 212A and 212B,respectively, along the sliding direction “S”. Further, in anembodiment, the first and the second extender frames 204A, 204B may bepivotable relative to the first and the second main frames 202A, 202B,respectively, about a slope axis “D”. Therefore, the plates 218A and218B may also be pivotable relative to the plates 212A and 212B,respectively, about the slope axis “D”. In another embodiment, the firstand the second lower parts 208A, 208B may be adjustable relative to thefirst and the second upper parts 206A, 206B, respectively, in a heightdirection “H”. Therefore, the plates 218A and 218B may also beadjustable relative to the plates 212A and 212B, respectively, along theheight direction “H”.

The adjustments of the plates 212A and 212B, and the plates 218A and218B, as described above, may enable the screed 104 (illustrated inFIG. 1) to pave differently shaped surfaces. Further, the main pivotaxis “P”, the sliding direction “S”, the slope axis “D” and the heightdirection “H”, as described above, are purely exemplary in nature, andthe screed 104 may be adjustable in various other manners within thescope of the present disclosure. Various details of the first extenderframe 204A will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3-7.However, the details of the first extender frame 204A may be applied inthe first and second main frames 202A, 202B, and the second extenderframe 204B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the first extender frame204A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Variouscomponents hidden by the plate 218A may be illustrated by dotted lines.The support portion 216A includes a set of first mounting members 302located proximate a first longitudinal end 304, and a set of secondmounting members 306 located proximate a second longitudinal end 308.Each of the first mounting members 302 includes a lower portion 309 andan upper portion 310. A first opening 312 extends from the lower portion309 to the upper portion 310. Further, the lower portion 309 of each ofthe first mounting member 302 is in contact with the plate 218A. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the lower portion 309 is substantially cuboidal.Each of the second mounting members 306 includes a second opening 314.Each of the second mounting members 306 is in contact with the plate218A. Further, each of the second mounting members 306 is substantiallycylindrical. The plate 218A includes multiple fastening apertures 402that may align with the first and the second openings 312, 314 of thefirst and the second mounting members 302, 306, respectively. Thefasteners 214 pass through the fastening apertures 402, and therespective first and second openings 312 and 314. Further, the first andthe second openings 312 and 314 may be substantially cylindrical. Thefastening member 214 may be threaded studs and the fastening apertures402 may have corresponding threads to receive the fastening members 214.In an alternative embodiment, the fastening members 214 may be integralwith the plate 218A.

In an embodiment, the plate 218A includes a first heating element 404and a second heating element 406. The first and the second heatingelements 404, 406 may be resistive heating elements. The first and thesecond heating elements 404, 406 may be supplied with electric power bythe electric generator 112 (illustrated in FIG. 1). A first supportmember 408 may be disposed on the first heating element 404. The firstsupport member 408 includes a central portion 410 and multiple branchportions 412 extending on both sides of the central portion 410. Thebranch portions 412 engage with the first heating element 404. Multipleheating element fasteners 418 couple the first support member 408 to thesupport portion 216A of the first extender frame 204A. Multiple secondsupport members 420 may secure the second heating element 406 to theplate 218A. Each second support member 420 may include a channel (notshown). The fasteners 214 pass through the fastening apertures 402 ofthe plate 218A, the corresponding channels of the second support members420, and apertures (not illustrated) of the support portion 216A,thereby coupling the second support members 420 to the plate 218A andthe support portion 216A. An end support member 424 may also secure thesecond heating element 406 to the plate 218A. The end support member 424may include a channel (not shown). In an embodiment, the end supportmember 424 is substantially cylindrical. The fastener 214 passes throughthe fastening aperture 402 of the plate 218A, and the channel of the endsupport member, thereby coupling the end support member 424 to the plate218A.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate detailed views of the first extender frame 204,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A lower surface315 of each of the lower portions 309 may contact an upper surface 428of the plate 218A. Further, a lower surface 317 of each of the secondmounting members 306 may contact the upper surface 428 of the plate218A. The support portion 216A includes an upper transverse member 316and a lower transverse member 318. In an embodiment, the upper and thelower transverse members 316, 318 may be substantially planar. In anembodiment, the second mounting members 306 and the lower portions 309of the first mounting members 302 project from a bottom surface 319 ofthe lower transverse member 318. Further, the first longitudinal end 304includes a first end wall 320 and a curved portion 322. The curvedportion 322 connects the first end wall 320 to the upper transversemember 316. Further, the second longitudinal end 308 includes a secondend wall 324. The first and the second end walls 320, 324 are connectedto the lower transverse member 318. Further, lower surfaces 326 and 328of the first and the second end walls 320, 324, respectively, contactthe upper surface 428 of the plate 218A. The first and the second endwalls 320, 324 may result in a clearance 502 between the bottom surface319 of the lower transverse member 318 and upper surface 428 of theplate 218A. Further, the lower portion 309 of the each of the firstmounting members 302 may protrude transversely from the second end wall324 by a distance 503. The lower transverse member 318 includes firstapertures 332 that receive the second mounting members 306 and thesecond support members 420. The upper transverse member 316 may includecorresponding apertures so that the second mounting members 306 and thesecond support member 420 project beyond the upper transverse member316. Further, nuts 504 and washers 506 couple the fasteners 214 to thefirst mounting members 302, the second mounting members 306, the secondsupport members 420, and the end support member 424.

Each of the second support members 420 includes an elongate portion 430and a retaining portion 432. The elongate portion 430 passes through theupper and the lower transverse members 316, 318. The retaining portion432 contacts the second heating element 406. The retaining portions 432may secure the second heating element 406 to the plate 218A. Theelongate portion 430 is substantially cylindrical, while the retainingportion 432 is a disc. Further, the fastener 214, passing through thechannel of the end support member 424, may protrude though the firstaperture 332 of the lower transverse member 318. In an embodiment,additional apertures (not illustrated) may be provided in the upper andthe lower transverse members 316, 318. The additional apertures mayreceive fasteners 214 that pass through corresponding apertures (notshown) of the plate 218A.

Further, a curved end 429 of each of the branch portions 412 engage withthe first heating element 404. The curved ends 429 may retain the firstheating element 404 on the plate 218A. Further, the heating elementfasteners 418 also pass through second apertures 334 of the lowertransverse member 318. The heating element fasteners 418 also passthrough the upper transverse member 316 and locking members 436 (onlyone illustrated in FIG. 5). The locking members 436 may secure theheating element fasteners 418 to the support portion 216A. Further, aclamp 434 is attached to the end support member 424. The clamp 434extends from the end support member 424 and contacts the second heatingelement 406. The clamp 434 may retain the second heating element 406 tothe plate 218A. Electrical leads 438 are connected to the first and thesecond heating elements 404, 406. The electric leads 438 may transmitelectric energy to the first and the second heating elements 404, 406.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the support portion 216A. The firstand the second longitudinal ends 304, 308 may have a length 507.Further, the lower surface 326 of the first end wall 320 may have awidth 508. The lower surface 328 of the second end wall 324 may have awidth 509. In an embodiment, the length 507 may lie in a range fromabout 0.5 meters to 1.75 meters. Further, the widths 508 and 509 of thelower surfaces 326, 328, respectively, may lie in a range from about 6mm to 16 mm. The lower portion 309 of each of the first mounting members302 may have a width 510 and a length 512. Each of the first openings312 may have a diameter 514. In an embodiment, the width 510 of thelower portion 309 may lie in a range from about 30 mm to 60 mm. Further,the length 512 of the lower portion may lie in a range from about 30meters to 60 meters. The diameter 514 of the first opening 312 may liein a range from about 13 mm to 30 mm. A first longitudinal offset 515between two adjacent first mounting members 302 may lie in a range fromabout 200 mm to 300 mm. Each of the lower portions 309 are also receivedwithin a third aperture 336 of the lower transverse member 318. In anembodiment, the lower portions 309 may be attached to walls of the thirdapertures 336 and/or portions of the first longitudinal end 304. Thelower portions 309 may also be attached to walls of correspondingapertures (not shown) of the upper transverse member 316 (illustrated inFIG. 5). In an alternate embodiment, the lower portions 309 may beintegral with the support portion 216A. Further, a clearance may beprovided between the fasteners 214 (illustrated in FIGS. 3-5) and thefirst openings 312.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second opening 314 of each of the secondmounting members 306 may have a diameter 516. Further, each secondmounting member 306 may have an outer diameter 518. In an embodiment,the diameter 516 of the second opening 314 may lie in a range from about15 mm to 25 mm. Further, the outer diameter 518 of each second mountingmember 306 may lie in a range from about 25 mm to 40 mm. A secondlongitudinal offset 520 between adjacent second mounting members 306 maylie in a range from about 200 mm to 300 mm. Further, a transverse offset522 between each of the first mounting members 302 and each of thesecond mounting members 306 may lie in a range from about 200 mm to 450mm. The transverse offset 522 may be substantially perpendicular to thefirst and the second longitudinal offsets 515, 520. In an embodiment,the first longitudinal offset 515 may be substantially equal to thesecond longitudinal offset 520. Each of the second mounting members 306are received within the first aperture 332 of the lower transversemember 318. In an embodiment, the second mounting members 306 may beattached to walls of the first aperture 332. The second mounting members306 may also be attached to walls of corresponding apertures (not shown)of the upper transverse member 316 (illustrated in FIG. 5). In analternate embodiment, the second mounting members 306 may be integralwith the support portion 216A.

The various dimensional ranges, as described above, are purely exemplaryin nature, and various components of the support portion 216A may haveany other dimensions within the scope of the present disclosure.Further, the first and second mounting members 302, 306 may havealternative shapes, for example, but not limited to, polyhedral,elliptic cylinder, or the like. In the embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 6, the support portion 216A includes six first mountingmembers 302 and six second mounting members 306. However, there may beany number of the first and the second mounting members 302, 306. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and the second mounting member s302, 306 are arranged substantially linearly and parallel to the firstand the second longitudinal ends 304, 308, respectively. Thus, each ofthe first mounting members 302 are longitudinally offset relative toeach other. Similarly, each of the second mounting members 308 arelongitudinally offset relative to each other. However, in various otherembodiments, the first and/or the second mounting members 302, 306 maybe arranged in a zigzag manner (not shown). For example, a first set ofthe first mounting members 302 may be arranged proximal to the firstlongitudinal end 304 along a first line that is inclined to the firstlongitudinal end 304 at a first angle. Further, a second set of thefirst mounting members 302 may be arranged distal to the firstlongitudinal end 304 along a second line that is inclined to the firstlongitudinal end 304 at a second angle. Thus, the first set of the firstmounting members 302 may be both longitudinally and transversely offsetrelative to the second set of the first mounting members 302.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure were described withreference to the first extender frame 204A in FIGS. 3-6. However, it maybe apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the variousembodiments may be present in the first and the second main frames 202A,202B, and the second extender frame 204B. For example, the first and thesecond mounting members 302, 306 may be provided in the support portions210A, 210B, and 216B of the first and the second main frames 202A, 202B,and the second extender frame 204B, respectively. Further, the plates212A, 212B and 218B may include one or more heating elements. In anembodiment, the plates 212A, 212B and 218B may be coupled to the supportportions 210A, 210B and 216B, respectively, in a manner that issubstantially similar to in case of the plate 218A and the supportportion 216A.

In an embodiment, bolt-on extensions (not shown) may be used inconjunction with the screed 104. The bolt-on extensions may use similarfirst and second mounting for providing an interface between theirrespective frames and plates. The bolt-on extensions may be of variouslengths in order to provide variable paving length.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the paving machine 100 which includesthe tractor 102 and the screed 104. The paving machine 100 includes ahopper 114 configured to receive paving material from a dump truck. Aconveyor (not illustrated) of the paving machine may transfer the pavingmaterial from the hopper for discharge onto a roadbed. One or moreaugers (not illustrated) may spread the paving material. The plates212A, 212B, 218A and 218B of the screed 104 may level and compact thepaving material. The operation of the screed 104 is described henceforthwith respect to the first extender frame 204A.

The plate 218A of the first extender frame 204A may be heated by thefirst and the second heating elements 404, 406 to facilitate thecompaction of the paving material. In case of one or more continuousinterfaces between the plate 218A and the support portion 216A, theremay be substantially heat loss from the plate 218A to the first extenderframe 204A. This may result in a non-uniform heat distribution with thecontinuous interfaces of the plate 218A being the substantially coolerthan the rest of the plate 218A. Heat loss from the four corners (notshown) of the plate 218A may be maximum resulting in the corners notbeing heated sufficiently. A paving operation may therefore beunsatisfactory. Further, energy efficiency may be low.

According to an embodiment the present disclosure, the support portion216A contacts the plate 218A at discrete portions, namely, the lowersurfaces 326 and 328 of the first and the second end walls 320, 322,respectively, and the lower surfaces 315 and 317 of the lower portions309 and the second mounting members 306, respectively. The widths 508and 509 of the first and the second end walls 320, 324 may be smallenough to prevent any substantial heat loss from the plate 218A.Further, the lower surfaces 315 and 317 of the lower portions 309 andthe second mounting members 306, respectively, may provide discreteinterfaces between the plate 218A and the support portion 216A. There,an area of contact between the plate 218A and the support portion 216Amay be substantially reduced compared to one or more continuousinterfaces with widths comparable with the width 510 of each lowerportion 309 or the outer diameter 518 of each second mounting member308. Consequently, heat loss from the plate 218A to the support portion216A may be substantially reduced. The clearance 502 (illustrated inFIG. 5) between the lower transverse member 318 and the plate 218A mayfurther reduce heat loss from the plate 218A to the support portion216A. Reduced heat loss may result in a more uniform heat distributionacross the plate 218A. In particular, discrete interfaces between theplate 218A and the support portion 216A may reduce heat loss from thecorners of the plate 218A. Thus, the corners of the plate 218A mayreceive adequate heat, thereby resulting in a more uniform heatdistribution across the plate 218A. Therefore, the plate 218A mayachieve a target temperature, which may be required for paving, at afaster rate with a more even heat distribution. This may improve apaving operation and/or energy efficiency of the screed 104.

During a paving operation, various forces may act on the plate 218A,such as, torsion, gravity, pull forces, or the like. These forces maytend to displace the plate 218A relative to the support portion 216A,that may have a detrimental effect on paving quality. Adjustment of theplate 218A along the sliding direction “S”, about the slope axis “D”,and along the height direction “H” may further tend to displace theplate 218A relative to the support portion 216A. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the width 510 of each of the sixlower portions 309, and/or the outer diameter 518 of each of the sixmounting members 308 may ensure a rigid coupling of the plate 218A tothe support portion 216A. The lower surfaces 326 and 328 of the firstand the second end walls 320, 324, respectively, may further providestability of the plate 218A. Thus, the plate 218A may provide a desiredpaving quality.

The various features of the first extender frame 204A, as describedabove, may be applicable to the first and the second main frames 202A,202B, and the second extender frame 204B. Therefore, in an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, heat loss from the plates 212A, 212B and 218Bmay have a substantially uniform heat distribution. Further, the plates212A, 212B and 218B may be rigidly coupled to the support portions 210A,210B and 216B, respectively.

Although the embodiments of this disclosure as described herein may beincorporated without departing from the scope of the following claims,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made. Other embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the disclosure. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A screed comprising: a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members; and a plate; wherein the plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface, at least one of the plurality of the mounting members being longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members; and wherein the plate is coupled to the frame by the mounting members.
 2. The screed of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the mounting members comprises an opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener.
 3. The screed of claim 2, wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener.
 4. The screed of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface.
 5. The screed of claim 4, wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members.
 6. The screed of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate.
 7. The screed of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises a heating element.
 8. A paving machine comprising: a tractor; a screed coupled to the tractor, the screed comprising: a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members; and a plate; wherein the plurality of the mounting members project from the bottom surface, at least one of the plurality of the mounting members being longitudinally and transversely offset relative to the other mounting members; and wherein the plate is coupled to the frame by the mounting members.
 9. The paving machine of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of the mounting members comprises an opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener.
 10. The paving machine of claim 9, wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener.
 11. The paving machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface.
 12. The paving machine of claim 11, wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members.
 13. The paving machine of claim 8, wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate.
 14. The paving machine of claim 8, wherein the plate further comprises a heating element.
 15. A screed comprising: a frame comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of mounting members projecting from the bottom surface; and a plate coupled to the frame by the plurality of the mounting members, the plate comprising a heating element; wherein the plurality of the mounting members being arranged to provide a substantially uniform heat distribution across the plate.
 16. The screed of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of the mounting member comprises a opening, the opening configured to receive a fastener.
 17. The screed of claim 16, wherein the plate comprises a fastening aperture, the fastening aperture configured to receive the fastener.
 18. The screed of claim 15, wherein the plurality of the mounting members comprises a set of first mounting members and a set of second mounting members, the first mounting members located proximate a first longitudinal edge of the bottom surface, and the second mounting members located proximate a second longitudinal edge of the bottom surface.
 19. The screed of claim 18, wherein each of the first mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, wherein each of the second mounting members are longitudinally offset relative to each other, and wherein each of the first mounting members are transversely offset relative to each of the second mounting members.
 20. The screed of claim 15, wherein the frame further comprises a first end wall and a second wall projecting from the bottom surface of the frame, the first end wall and the second end wall configured to contact the plate. 